MinuteClinic recognizes National Nurse Practitioner Week

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — MinuteClinic is highlighting its support for the education and advancement of clinicians across the country in recognition of National Nurse Practitioner Week, the company said Tuesday.

"Every day, thousands of individuals across the United States see evidence of the compassion, care and patient education provided by nurse practitioners, and we see the appreciation for that care through consistently high customer satisfaction ratings," MinuteClinic president and SVP and associate chief medical officer for parent company CVS Caremark Andrew Sussman said. "As the shortage of primary care physicians continues to grow and nurse practitioners play an even larger role in patient care, we are committed to creating advancement opportunities for clinicians through a growing program of preceptorships, residencies, scholarships and grants."

The company employs more than 2,000 nurse practitioners and physician assistants at more than 600 walk-in medical clinics inside CVS/pharmacy stores, and the company has increased the number of nurse practitioner and physician assistant preceptorships at its clinical from 40 to more than 200, giving graduate-level students the opportunity to observe practitioners, learn clinical skills and see what it’s like to work in a retail clinic setting.

The company also funds scholarships at schools and organizations such as the United Negro College Fund and the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professinals and, in September, launched its first nurse practitioner residency program with the school of nursing at the Bouve College of Health Sciences at Northeastern University. In addition, the company funds a grant for nurse practitioners pursuing doctorates and conducting research into community-based health issues through the American Nurses Foundation.

"We are currently working with more than 100 colleges and universities in the United States at various levels to support nurse practitioner and physician assistant education," MinuteClinic chief nurse practitioner officer Paulette Thabault said. "We also believe in the importance of developing new continuing education and research grants for professionals."

FMI, GMA and NGA release universal digital coupon guidelines

WASHINGTON — The Food Marketing Institute, Grocery Manufacturers Association and National Grocers Association on Tuesday released guidelines designed to promote model practices in the “end-to-end” digital coupon process and reduce the incidence of coupon fraud.

“Retailers have long appreciated the popularity coupons have with consumers as a means of increasing their purchasing power,” added Leslie Sarasin, president and CEO of FMI. “Digital coupons add a welcomed high-tech layer of ease to the couponing adventure, but also introduce new possibilities of fraud that this set of guidelines seeks to address, keeping coupon use fair and simple for all consumers.”

“These guidelines are a win-win for manufacturers, retailers and consumers,” stated Pamela Bailey, president and CEO of GMA. “Manufacturers and retailers reduce costs by streamlining their coupon programs and reducing fraud, and consumers will have a better shopping experience in the store and at checkout.”

“Couponing has seen unprecedented growth in the past decade, and digital coupons represent the fasting growing segment,” commented Peter Larkin, NGA president and CEO. “These first-of-its-kind guidelines for digital coupons will become a go-to resource for the industry.”

Produced by the Joint Industry Coupon Committee, the Voluntary Guidelines for Digital Coupons provides model digital coupon practices in order to ensure a positive experience for consumers, proper settlement for retailers and effective and well-controlled promotions for manufacturers.

Weis Markets to open first LEED-certified location

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets on Tuesday announced it will open the Lehigh Valley’s first LEED-certified grocery store in Fogelsville, Pa. in December.

The 65,800-sq.-ft. superstore also is the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified location in the 162-store Weis Markets’ footprint. The Fogelsville location will feature a larger perishable department, including a produce department with a greater selection of organic produce, an in-store café where beer will be sold, and a full-service pharmacy.

To achieve the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification, the new supermarket measurably reduces or mitigates its environmental impact in the following areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, material selection and indoor environmental quality.

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